What is Capitalism?

[Associate Justice PiT]

And, as usual, opebo takes it too far.

Its ok, Win, you won't have to look at the gun if you behave just so.

Capitalism isn't inseparably linked with death and coercion.

Sorry to piss on your cake.

You're wrong.  Capitalism is only separable from death and coercion with government intervention. 

     I'm not sure I would consider giving the government exclusive rights to death & coercion a good thing, though.

[jokerman]

Rather I would argue that if "capitalism" or "feudalism" (there has actually been a long-running debate among medieval historians on the term 'feudalism' and how applicable is it, if at all) exist then they only exist as platonic archetypes or at most types of production rather than as 'societies' (which makes no sense).

Saying we live in a 'capitalist society' tends to actually obscure things, because no-one is really clear on what that word means other than (and this is somewhat ironic methinks) "not communism".

There are only capitalistic forces, I woulds say.  Obviously all societies are unique so it's easy to refute the notion of an overarching "capitalist society."

You're right that capitalism can be traced back to the feudalistic era, that's because capitalism is essentially a Western phenomenon.  Classical civilization, with its massive preponderance of slave labor, was obviously not capitalistic.  Neither was Islamic civilization, with its inhibitions towards usury and profit-making.  Obviously no society can be purely "capitalistic," because that's impossible; a paradox.  But it is in the West in which capitalistic forces gained their greatest strength, and thenceforth proceeded to dominate global relations.  The only reason why capitalism is said to have "developed" within merely the last few centuries is that its external greatness finally manifested itself.  The bubonic plague first allowed the leap towards free labor markets.  The massive influx of Spanish bullion in the 16th century instigated a massive flow of capital into Europe (and between the nations of Europe).  But these are both proximate causes, if you will.  The ultimate causes lie in inherent qualities of Western culture, present, if only latently, from even its first stirrings in the dark age.

[Ban my account ffs!]

And, as usual, opebo takes it too far.

Its ok, Win, you won't have to look at the gun if you behave just so.

Capitalism isn't inseparably linked with death and coercion.

Sorry to piss on your cake.

You're wrong.  Capitalism is only separable from death and coercion with government intervention.  

     I'm not sure I would consider giving the government exclusive rights to death & coercion a good thing, though.

I don't believe anybody has the rights to coerce or cause the death of anybody.  What I meant is that the only way to remove death and coercion from capitalism is to have the rule of law enforced by the government with an emphasis on crime prevention.

I believe everybody is equal under the law and we must thus use socialist measures to achieve that.

[Associate Justice PiT]

And, as usual, opebo takes it too far.

Its ok, Win, you won't have to look at the gun if you behave just so.

Capitalism isn't inseparably linked with death and coercion.

Sorry to piss on your cake.

You're wrong.  Capitalism is only separable from death and coercion with government intervention. 

     I'm not sure I would consider giving the government exclusive rights to death & coercion a good thing, though.

I don't believe anybody has the rights to coerce or cause the death of anybody.  What I meant is that the only way to remove death and coercion from capitalism is to have the rule of law enforced by the government with an emphasis on crime prevention.

I believe everybody is equal under the law and we must thus use socialist measures to achieve that.

     How is the government killing & coercing any different from anyone else doing it, though?

[phk]

This thread isn't Economics and is probably more appropriate for the History or Philosophy board.

[Derek]

evil

You think it's evil that I have the right to own my own home and start a business without the government standing in my way? How much was your last welfare check?

[k-onmmunist]

Capitalism is oppression.

[Derek]

Capitalism is oppression.

It got the United States out of the depression of 1920. After the stock market crashed in 1929 we tried FDR's socialism and were in the depression for 15 years.

[🐒Gods of Prosperity🔱🐲💸]

Capitalism is oppression.

It got the United States out of the depression of 1920. After the stock market crashed in 1929 we tried FDR's socialism and were in the depression for 15 years.

FDR may or may not have been a capitalist depending on the definition, but I don't see how he was a socialist. Hoover certainly was a capitalist and not a socialist.

[Derek]

I know I was referring to Warren Harding who had us out of a depression though.